Ota, Industrial city in Gunma Prefecture, Japan
Ota is a city in Gunma Prefecture that sits between two major rivers and spreads across flat industrial land. Wide streets lead to commercial zones with assembly plants, while residential neighborhoods with low buildings fill the outer areas.
During the Edo period, two post stations on an important route passed through the area, bringing travelers toward Nikko. After World War II, the region shifted from aircraft production to car manufacturing, shaping the local economy ever since.
The name comes from the word for rice paddies, recalling the farming past of the region. Today factory buildings shape the skyline, and many residents work in car manufacturing, organizing their days around shift schedules.
Travelers reach the city by express train in about an hour and a half from Tokyo. The flat terrain makes cycling easy, and many streets connect the different parts of town to one another.
A temple at the base of a nearby mountain offers courses for the community and serves as a meeting and learning space. Visitors often notice the calm around the temple, which has stood at the same spot since the 17th century.
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